Light-emitting diode lamp

ABSTRACT

A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp suitable for being electrically connected with a power supply includes a frame, a body connected to the frame, and an LED array module and a fan disposed on the body. The frame includes a bottom plate having an opening and a plurality of posts each having a first locking portion. The body has a base and a plurality of heat dissipation fins. The base has an accommodating space corresponding to the opening and a plurality of second locking portions. The second locking portions are respectively locked with the first locking portions. An air channel is between any two adjacent heat dissipation fins. The LED array module located in the accommodating space and the fan are electrically connected with the power supply. The fan is for generating an airflow blowing the air channels and the base for dissipating heat from the LED array module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the priority benefits of U.S. provisionalapplication Ser. No. 61/088,016, filed on Aug. 12, 2008 and Taiwanpatent application serial no. 98214554, filed on Aug. 6, 2009. Theentirety of each of the above-mentioned patent applications is herebyincorporated by reference herein and made a part of specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp andparticularly to an LED lamp having favorable efficiency in heatdissipation.

2. Description of Related Art

A light-emitting diode (LED) is a semiconductor device that isfabricated basically by using a compound of chemical elements selectedfrom groups III-V, such as GaP, GaAs, and so forth. This kind ofsemiconductor material has properties of converting electrical energyinto light. More specifically, electrons and holes in the semiconductormaterial will be combined to release excessive energy in the form oflight when a current is applied to the semiconductor material. Hence,LED can emit light.

As the light generated by LED is a form of cold luminescence instead ofthermal luminescence or electric discharge luminescence, the lifespan ofLED devices is up to one hundred thousand hours. And, LED devices do notrequire idling time. Moreover, LED devices have the advantages of fastresponse speed (about 10⁻⁹ seconds), compact size, low powerconsumption, low pollution (mercury-free), high reliability, capabilityfor mass production, etc. Hence, the application of LED is fairlyextensive. For example, LED can be used in large-sized display boards,traffic lights, cell phones, scanners, light sources for fax machines,and so forth.

In recent years, as the brightness and light-emitting efficiency of LEDare being improved and the mass production of white light LEDs iscarried out successfully, white light LEDs are used in illuminationdevices increasingly, such as indoor illuminators, outdoor illuminators,and so forth. Generally speaking, high-power LEDs all encounter heatdissipation problem. When an LED is operated in an overly hightemperature, the brightness of the LED lamp may be reduced and thelifespan of the LED may be shortened. For these reasons, how to design aproper heat dissipation system for LED lamps has become a focus toresearchers and designers in this field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a light-emitting diode (LED) lamp havingfavorable efficiency in heat dissipation.

The invention provides an LED lamp suitable for being electricallyconnected with a power supply. The LED lamp includes a frame, a body, anLED array module, and a fan. The frame has a bottom plate and aplurality of posts connected with the bottom plate, wherein the bottomplate has an opening and each of the posts has a first locking portion.The body is connected to the frame. Furthermore, the body includes abase and a plurality of heat dissipation fins connected with the base.The base has an accommodating space and a plurality of second lockingportions. An air channel is located between any two adjacent heatdissipation fins. The accommodating space is exposed corresponding tothe opening, and the second locking portions are respectively lockedwith the first locking portions. The LED array module is disposed on thebody and located in the accommodating space, wherein the LED arraymodule is electrically connected with the power supply. The fan isdisposed on the body and electrically connected with the power supply,wherein the fan covers an end of each of the heat dissipation fins andis suitable for generating an airflow blowing the air channels and thebase for dissipating heat from the LED array module.

In one embodiment of the invention, the bottom plate has a top surfaceand a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, and each of the postshas a base portion and a rod portion. The base portion is fixed on thetop surface and located between an edge of the opening and an outerperiphery of the bottom plate. An extended direction of the rod portionis substantially perpendicular to an extended direction of the bottomplate.

In one embodiment of the invention, the LED lamp further includes aplurality of clamping elements. When the LED lamp is inserted into aboard having a hole, the clamping elements and the bottom plate aresuitable for clamping the board.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of the clamping elements has anelastic deformable end and a free end. The elastic deformable end isdisposed on the posts, and the free end is adapted to moving toward thefan after being pressed. Moreover, the elastic deformable end provides arecovering force that enables the free end and the bottom plate to clampthe board.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of clamping elements includes awire spring and a clamping portion. The wire spring is disposed on theposts. The clamping portion is connected with the wire spring, whereinthe wire spring is adapted for providing recovering force that enablesthe clamping portion and the bottom plate to clamp the board.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of the first locking portionsis a locking hole, and each of the second locking portions is a lockingblock.

In one embodiment of the invention, each of the first locking portionsis a locking block, and each of the second locking portions is a lockinghole.

In one embodiment of the invention, the body has an outer surface and abottom surface corresponding to the opening. The accommodating space ispositioned on the bottom surface. The heat dissipation fins surround theouter surface, and an extended direction of the heat dissipation fins issubstantially the same as an extended direction of the posts. An end ofeach of the heat dissipation fins together form a platform, and the fanis located on the platform.

In one embodiment of the invention, the LED lamp further includes atleast one tertiary optical device. The tertiary optical device isdisposed on the body and located in the accommodating space, and alight-emitting surface of the tertiary optical device is exposedcorresponding to the opening.

In one embodiment of the invention, the LED lamp further includes asecondary optical device. The secondary optical device is disposed onthe body and located between the LED array module and the tertiaryoptical device. The secondary optical device is exposed corresponding tothe opening.

In one embodiment of the invention, the LED lamp further includes aplurality of first fixing members, and the LED array module has aplurality of fixing holes. The first fixing members respectively passthrough the fixing holes to fix the LED array module in theaccommodating space of the body.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first fixing members includescrews or screw bolts.

In one embodiment of the invention, the LED lamp further includes aplurality of second fixing member. The body has a plurality of firstpositioning holes and the fan has a plurality of second positioningholes. The second fixing members respectively pass through the secondpositioning holes and the first positioning holes to fix the fan on thebody.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second fixing members includescrews or screw bolts.

In one embodiment of the invention, the body is pivotally connected withthe posts of the frame by the second locking portions and the firstlocking portions.

To conclude, the LED lamp of the invention has the fan and the heatdissipation fins disposed therein. Consequently, the heat generated bythe LED array module can be actively dissipated by the fan and passivelydissipated by the heat dissipation fins. As a result, the heatdissipation efficiency of the LED lamp is improved. In other words, theLED lamp of the invention would not be easily damaged due tooverheating.

In order to make the aforementioned and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention more comprehensible, exemplary embodimentsaccompanied with drawings are described in detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an LED lamp according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of the LED lamp in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view depicting the LED lamp in FIG. 1from another aspect.

FIG. 4A˜FIG. 4B illustrate a process of inserting the LED lamp in FIG. 1into a hole of a board.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an LED lamp according to oneembodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view of theLED lamp in FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view depictingthe LED lamp in FIG. 1 from another aspect. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.2, in this embodiment, an LED lamp 100 is suitable for beingelectrically connected to a power supply (not shown). The LED lamp 100includes a frame 110, a body 120, an LED array module 130, and a fan140.

To be more specific, the frame 110 has a bottom plate 112 and aplurality of posts 114 connected with the bottom plate 112 (FIG. 1 andFIG. 2 illustrate two posts as an example). The bottom plate 112 has atop surface 112 a, a bottom surface 112 b opposite to the top surface112 a, and an opening 112 c. Each of the posts 114 includes a baseportion 114 a, a rod portion 114 b, and a first locking portion 114 c.The base portions 114 a are respectively fixed on the top surface 112 aand located between an edge of the opening 112 c and an outer peripheryof the bottom plate 112. An extended direction of the rod portions 114 bis substantially perpendicular to an extended direction of the bottomplate 112. Moreover, the first locking portions 114 c are positioned onthe rod portions 114 b respectively. According to this embodiment, thebottom plate 112 and the posts 114 of the frame 110 can be formed in onepiece, and a material of the frame 110 is SPCC, for example.

With reference to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the body 120 is connected to theframe 110. In addition, the body 120 has an outer surface 122 a and abottom surface 122 b corresponding to the opening 112 c. The body 120includes a base 122 and a plurality of heat dissipation fins 124connected with the base 122, wherein the base 122 has an accommodatingspace 122 d and a plurality of second locking portions 122 c. Theaccommodating space 122 d is positioned on the bottom surface 122 b andis exposed corresponding to the opening 112 c of the bottom plate 112.The second locking portions 122 c are respectively locked with the firstlocking portions 114 c. The heat dissipation fins 124 surround the outersurface 122 a of the body 120. Moreover, an air channel 124 a is locatedbetween any two adjacent heat dissipation fins 124. An extendeddirection of the heat dissipation fins 124 is substantially the same asan extended direction of the rod portions 114 b of the posts 114. An endof each of the heat dissipation fins 124 together forms a platform 124b. In this embodiment, the base 122 and the heat dissipation fins 124 ofthe body 120 can be formed in one piece, and a material of the body 120is aluminum, for instance.

The LED array module 130 is disposed on the body 120 and located in theaccommodating space 122 d. Moreover, the LED array module 130 iselectrically connected with the power supply. To be more detailed, inthis embodiment, the LED array module 130 has a plurality of fixingholes 132 (FIG. 2 illustrates four holes as an example), and the LEDlamp 100 includes a plurality of first fixing members 180 (FIG. 2illustrates four fixing members as an example). The first fixing members180 respectively pass through the fixing holes 132 to fix the LED arraymodule 130 in the accommodating space 122 d of the body 120. Accordingto this embodiment, the first fixing members 180 are, for example,screws or screw bolts. The LED array module 130 is, for instance, formedby arranging a plurality of LEDs (not shown) on a circuit board (notshown), and the LEDs are electrically connected with the circuit board.

The fan 140 is disposed on the body 120 and located on the platform 124b that is formed by the ends of the heat dissipation fins 124.Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the body 120 has a pluralityof first positioning holes 126 (FIG. 2 depicts two of the firstpositioning holes as an example), the fan has a plurality of secondpositioning holes 142 (FIG. 2 depicts two of the second positioningholes as an example), and the LED lamp 100 includes a plurality ofsecond fixing members 190 (two of the second fixing members are depictedin FIG. 2 as an example). The second fixing members 190 respectivelypass through the second positioning holes 142 and the first positioningholes 126 to fix the fan 140 on the body 120. According to thisembodiment, the second fixing members 190 are, for example, screws orscrew bolts.

In this embodiment, the fan 140 is electrically connected with the powersupply to generate an airflow blowing the air channels 124 a and thebase 122 for dissipating heat from the LED array module 130. Since thefan 140 is fixed on the platform 124 b by the second fixing members 190,when the LED array module 130 is powered to emit light, the fan 140 ispowered to generate airflow which blows the air channels 124 a and thebase 122 for actively dissipating heat. At the same time, the heatdissipation fins 124 passively dissipate heat, so as to release heatfrom the LED array module 130. Therefore, the LED lamp 100 of thisembodiment would not be easily damaged due to overheating. It is notedthat, in other embodiments, the LED lamp 100 is supplied with a power oflower watt, for example, so that the fan 140 can be omitted. In otherwords, a designer can decide whether to add the fan 140 according to hisrequirements.

In this embodiment, the LED lamp 100 further includes a plurality ofclamping elements 150, and each of the clamping elements 150 has anelastic deformable end 152 and a free end 154. The elastic deformableends 152 are respectively disposed on the rod portions 114 b of theposts 114. The free ends 154 are adapted to leaning against the outerperiphery of the bottom plate 112 when not pressed by a force. Moreover,the LED lamp 100 further includes at least one tertiary optical device160 (one is shown in FIG. 2 as an example) and a secondary opticaldevice 170. The tertiary optical device 160 is disposed on the body 120and located in the accommodating space 122 d. A light-emitting surfaceof the tertiary optical device 160 is exposed corresponding to theopening 112 c. The secondary optical device 170 is disposed on the body120 and located between the LED array module 130 and the tertiaryoptical device 160. The secondary optical device 170 is exposedcorresponding to the opening 112 c. The tertiary optical device 160 canbe a transparent plate, a mat mirror, or a lens. The tertiary opticaldevice 160 as shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a planar lens or a matmirror, but the invention is not limited thereto. The secondary opticaldevice 170 can be a reflector, a lamp cup, or a condenser. The secondaryoptical device 170 as shown in FIG. 2 is, for example, a reflector, butthe invention is not limited thereto.

It is noted that, in this embodiment, the body 120 is pivotallyconnected with the posts 114 of the frame 110 by the second lockingportions 122 c and the first locking portions 114 c. Accordingly, anangle of the body 120 is adjustable to change a direction of the lightemitted from the LED array module 130. In addition, the first lockingportions 114 c are locking holes and the second locking portions 122 care locking blocks, for example. Of course, in other embodiments, thefirst locking portions 114 c can be locking blocks and the secondlocking portions 122 c can be locking holes adapted to the lockingblocks. The first locking portions 114 c and the second locking portions122 c as shown in FIG. 2 of this embodiment is merely one of theexamples, and the invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 4A˜FIG. 4B illustrate a process of inserting the LED lamp in FIG. 1into a hole of a board. Referring to FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, the LED lamp100 of this embodiment is suitable for being inserted into a board 10which has a hole 20. One type of the LED lamp 100 is, for example, aninserted lamp on ceiling. It is noted that, in this embodiment, adiameter of the hole 20 is smaller than an outer diameter of the bottomplate 112 and larger than a distance between the posts 114.

More specifically, when the LED lamp 100 is inserted into the hole 20 ofthe board 10, the free ends 154 of the clamping elements 150 are forcedto move toward the fan 140. That is, an extended direction of the freeends 154 is nearly parallel to the extended direction of the rodportions 114 b, such that the LED lamp 100 can be inserted into the hole20. After the LED lamp 100 is inserted, the elastic deformable ends 152respectively provide a recovering force which enables the free ends 154and the bottom plate 112 to clamp the board 10.

The free ends 154 are maintained at an angle relative to the board 10and are forced against a surface of the board 10. Because the outerdiameter of the bottom plate 112 is larger than the diameter of the hole20, the top surface 112 a of the bottom plate 112 covers the othersurface of the hole 20 while the bottom surface 112 b of the bottomplate 112 is exposed outside the board 10. As a result, the clampingelements 150 and the bottom plate 112 clamp and hold the board 10. Inother words, the board 10 is positioned between the clamping elements150 and the bottom plate 112 after the LED lamp 100 is inserted into thehole 20. In this embodiment, the elastic deformable ends 152 of theclamping elements 150 are wire springs 152 a and the free ends 154 ofthe clamping elements 150 are clamping portions, for example, but theinvention is not limited thereto.

Based on the above, the LED lamp of the invention has the fan and theheat dissipation fins disposed therein. Consequently, the heat generatedby the LED array module can be actively dissipated by the fan andpassively dissipated by the heat dissipation fins. As a result, the heatdissipation efficiency of the LED lamp is enhanced. In other words, theLED lamp of the invention would not be easily damaged due tooverheating.

Although the invention has been described with reference to theforegoing embodiments, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skillin the art that modifications to the described embodiments may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, thescope of the invention is defined by the attached claims not by theabove detailed description.

1. A light-emitting diode (LED) lamp suitable for being electricallyconnected with a power supply, the LED lamp comprising: a frame having abottom plate and a plurality of posts connected with the bottom plate,wherein the bottom plate has an opening and each of the posts has afirst locking portion; a body connected to the frame, the bodycomprising a base and a plurality of heat dissipation fins connectedwith the base, wherein the base comprises an accommodating space and aplurality of second locking portions, an air channel is located betweenany two adjacent heat dissipation fins, the accommodating space isexposed corresponding to the opening, and the second locking portionsare respectively locked with the first locking portions; an LED arraymodule disposed on the body and located in the accommodating space,wherein the LED array module is electrically connected with the powersupply; and a fan disposed on the body and electrically connected withthe power supply, wherein the fan covers an end of each of the heatdissipation fins and is suitable for generating an airflow blowing theair channels and the base for dissipating heat from the LED arraymodule.
 2. The LED lamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom platehas a top surface and a bottom surface opposite to the top surface, eachof the posts has a base portion and a rod portion, the base portion isfixed on the top surface and located between an edge of the opening andan outer periphery of the bottom plate, and an extended direction of therod portion is substantially perpendicular to an extended direction ofthe bottom plate.
 3. The LED lamp as claimed in claim 2, furthercomprising a plurality of clamping elements, wherein the clampingelements and the bottom plate are adapted for clamping a board when theLED lamp is inserted into a hole of the board.
 4. The LED lamp asclaimed in claim 3, wherein each of the clamping elements comprises anelastic deformable end and a free end, the elastic deformable end isdisposed on the post, the free end is adapted to moving toward the fanwhen being pressed by a force, and the elastic deformable end provides arecovering force enabling the free end and the bottom plate to clamp theboard.
 5. The LED lamp as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of theclamping elements comprising: a wire spring disposed on the post; and aclamping portion connected with the wire spring, wherein the wire springis suitable for providing a recovering force enabling the clampingportion and the bottom plate to clamp the board.
 6. The LED lamp asclaimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first locking portions is alocking hole and each of the second locking portions is a locking block.7. The LED lamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the first lockingportions is a locking block and each of the second locking portions is alocking hole.
 8. The LED lamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bodycomprises an outer surface and a bottom surface corresponding to theopening, the accommodating space is positioned on the bottom surface andthe heat dissipation fins surround the outer surface, an extendeddirection of the heat dissipation fins is substantially the same as anextended direction of the posts, and an end of each of the heatdissipation fins together form a platform on which the fan is disposed.9. The LED lamp as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least onetertiary optical device disposed on the body and located in theaccommodating space, and a light-emitting surface of the tertiaryoptical device being exposed corresponding to the opening.
 10. The LEDlamp as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a secondary opticaldevice disposed on the body and located between the LED array module andthe tertiary optical device, and the secondary optical device beingexposed corresponding to the opening.
 11. The LED lamp as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of first fixing members, whereinthe LED array module has a plurality of fixing holes and the firstfixing members respectively pass through the fixing holes to fix the LEDarray module in the accommodating space of the body.
 12. The LED lamp asclaimed in claim 11, wherein the first fixing members comprise screws orscrew bolts.
 13. The LED lamp as claimed in claim 1, further comprisinga plurality of second fixing members, wherein the body has a pluralityof first positioning holes, the fan has a plurality of secondpositioning holes, and the second fixing members respectively passthrough the second positioning holes and the first positioning holes tofix the fan on the body.
 14. The LED lamp as claimed in claim 13,wherein the second fixing members comprise screws or screw bolts. 15.The LED lamp as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is pivotallyconnected with the posts of the frame by the second locking portions andthe first locking portions.